Matt Barnes had a long and productive NBA career, that included a championship ring during his time with the 2017 Golden State Warriors.
According to Barnes though, he doesn’t see himself as an NBA champion. The reason? A reason you’d expect to hear from a hard fighting competitor like Matt Barnes.
“To be honest with you, I really don’t count that championship. Obviously through the process of my career and everything I accomplished — I earned it. But I got hurt going into the playoffs and I’ve never been given anything.”
“I felt like because I wasn’t out there on the court with my guys — sweating and fighting — that it was given to me. I appreciate the opportunity and the ring, but I don’t really ever refer to myself as a champion or wear my ring.”
“It has a nice ring to it but as far as just my mentality and the way I’ve always gone about things, I kind of feel like that was given to me.”
I can understand this mindset completely. There’s nothing like going through the hard workouts in the summer, stepping on the field with your brothers in the fall, and hoisting up a trophy with your brothers in the winter. It’s a feeling unlike none other.
I can only speak for myself from a lower level of competition.
Barnes did it at the professional level.
Until you go out and play competitive sports, maybe even at the highest level, then you just won’t understand where Matt Barnes is coming from.
Flip the page to see pics of Matt Barnes receiving his ring AND his sons getting rings as well.